United Nations, Jul 20 (IANS): India has hit out at the "subterranean" cover given to terrorists at the UN by China which has vetoed action against Pakistan-based masterminds of attacks on India, and demanded reforming the process of imposing sanctions on terrorists and their protectors.

Deriding the Security Council committees that deal with sanctions as a "subterranean universe" because of their secrecy, India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin on Tuesday called for opening up their voting so that those vetoing action against terrorists are made to publicly acknowledge their role.

Speaking at a Security Council debate on it working methods, he diplomatically avoided naming China but it was clear his criticism was directed at Beijing that has used the secrecy of the sanctions committee, which is one of the so-called subsidiary bodies of the Council to veto action against Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohamed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and against Islamabad for freeing Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

"When a Council resolution is voted upon all of us know who votes for what and member states explain their positions," Akbaruddin said, adding "However, in the subterranean world of subsidiary bodies there is no explanation given. No one says what is the rationale."

"Furthermore, a rejection does not even surface in the public space," he added. "No one indicates who specifically is not supporting a request. Indeed, proposals that can't make it are buried without public acknowledgment that they were ever considered."